Why are Collies so sensitive?

I have been looking for info on the same subject..because I have a herding breed anyways this is what I found..might be of some interest

Folks, you all need to know this yesterday, not tomorrow: IT'S NOT JUST
IVERMECTIN!!


Molecular biological research is proving that many herding breed dogs suffer
a genetic flaw called MDR1 - multiple drug resistance deficiency. In sum,
the barrier (P-glycoprotein) that protects the brain by transporting a
variety of drugs from the brain tissues back into the capillaries is flawed.
This is the root cause of the disastrous neurological effects, including
death, caused by the ingestion of ivermectin. But, IT'S NOT JUST IVERMECTIN
(also known as Avermectin, and the anti-parasitic used in the trade name
drug Heartguard and commonly used to treat demodic mange).


It's also almost certainly these drugs (alternate names, common usage, and
trade names follow the generic name):


Metronidazole (diarrhea and giardia)
Flagyl; Rozex; Metrogel
Butorphanol (pain relief after spay/neuter; cough suppressant and canine
flu)
Torbutol; Butorphic; Dolorex; Morphasol; Turbogesic
Acepromazine (tranquilizer/calming agent and pre-anesthetic)
Ace; ACP; Atravet
Cyclosporine or Ciclosporin (allergy treatment/immunosuppresant)
Sandimmune; Neoral; Cicloral; Gengraf; Restasis
Vinblastine and Vincristine (chemotherapy for cancers & leukemia)
cancer regimens called CHOP and Stanford V
Doxurobicin or Adriamycin or Hydroxyldaunorubicin (chemotherapy for cancers
& leukemia)
Doxil; cancer regimens called ABVD, CHOP, and FAC
Loperamide (diarrhea)
Imodium; Lopex; Dimor; Pepto
Digoxin (heart ailments)
Digitalis (Foxglove) family


Additionally, neurotoxicity in dogs with the MDR1 genetic flaw is suspected
to have been caused by:


Ondansetron (nausea and vomiting)
Zofran; Emeset; Emetron; Ondemet
Domperidone (nausea, vomiting, and to stimulate lactation)
Motilium
Paclitaxel (cancer)
Taxol; Abraxane
Mitoxantrone (cancer/leukemia)
Etoposide (cancer/leukemia)
Eposin; Etopophos; Vepeside; VP-16
Rifampicin or Rifampin (antibiotic - infections, influenza, pneumonia,
staph, meningitis)
Rifadin; Rifater; Rimactane; Rifinah; Rimactazid
Quinidine (heart)
Morphine (pain relief, anesthesia, cough suppressant, anti-diarrheal,
shortness of breath)


Although any errors or omissions in the above are solely my doing , the
credit for most of this information goes to:


Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology Laboratory
PO Box 2280

Lizzie,

It's because of the sighthound that was breeded into the lines.  I believe that they used English Greyhounds.  Ever notice that when Lizzie is soaking wet, her profile is similar to a greyhound? (big chest, tight tuck, low tail carriage, long sharp nose)

Does this apply to German Shepards too? I was told on another thread to give him immodium for his diarhea!
http://forum.dog.com/asp/tm.asp?m=125725&mpage=1&key=𞳇
Someone else told me to give him pepto!What should i do?

I had a vet tech tell me that labs do poorly on Rimadyl. She was a vet tech in the UK for 10 years and vets there didn't like to give Rimadyl to Labs.
 

I wouldn't give immodium to ANY dog.   I only use Pepto or GasX (in an emergency case of bloat)    

Here are some links for you:

AWCA  Info Page - [linkhttp://www.awca.net/drug.htm]http://www.awca.net/drug.htm[/link]
WSU Website - [linkhttp://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-VCPL/%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0]http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-VCPL/   [/link]

According to the WSU site, the following breeds have shown sensitivity:  Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs (Shelties). Australian Shepherds, Old English Sheepdogs, German Shepherds, Long-haired Whippets, Silken Windhounds, and a variety of mixed breed dogs.

The presence of the MDR1 mutant gene is what makes them drug sensitive.  Collies are the most sensitive, Aussies are next.  Here is a list compiled by the Canine Genetics Unit at UC Davis.  [linkhttp://www.vgl.ucdavis.edu/research/canine/projects/mdr1b/%C2%A0]http://www.vgl.ucdavis.edu/research/canine/projects/mdr1b/ [/link] What's interesting is that there are several breeds that were bred from Collies (ACD and Koolies for instance) and they are NOT affected.  Go figure.  Also please note that Shelties are not affected anywhere near the extent of Collies - another way to say that THEY ARE NOT MINI COLLIES!  []  All of my dogs are tested for this gene as puppies, and I would say that ALL Collies, Aussies, and other herding breeds (unless on the UC Davis list) should be tested for their own safety.

And I have to add for the record: 

I have to say there aren't many people who do Collie genetic research who will say there is sighthound in there. There were some crosses done between Collies and Borzoi in the early 1900s, but no one can say if Collies have the Borzoi influence or if Borzois have the Collie influence.  (You'll find people on both sides of the fence on that one ).  Actually, the standard is written to fault anything that resembles the Borzoi influence, such as the Roman nose.

I wouldn't give immodium to ANY dog. I only use Pepto or GasX (in an emergency case of bloat)

 
You can give Imodium. 

Wow, thanks everyone for the info! I thought I researched my breed retty well before purchasing, but obviously I have lots to learn still!
 
Also, to Xerxes:
       I do notice that when Lizzie has a bath she has a slightly similair greyhound profile (especially the skinny pat...lol!) shes got a deep chest, and a tight tuck, the similarities are incredible! 

ORIGINAL: willowchow

I wouldn't give immodium to ANY dog. I only use Pepto or GasX (in an emergency case of bloat)

You can give Imodium. 

You don't want to give it to Collies, Aussies and other sensitive herding breeds.  If they are MRD1 mutant/mutant, it could be fatal.